EAST CHICAGO (July 16, 2018) – Come celebrate Puerto Rican pride and heritage as the East Chicago Public Library hosts a free program on Wednesday, July 25. This year’s theme is “Viva Puerto Rico! – A Community Reborn.” The program, slated for 5 to 7 p.m. at the Main Library, 2401 E. Columbus Drive will feature music and dance presentations with performances by Los Romanticos and La Salsera with Jose Serrano. The event will also include an awards presentation to highlight Puerto Rican pillars that have made an outstanding impact in the East Chicago community.Guests also are invited to tour an educational exhibit, which features before and after photos of towns in Puerto Rico that were affected by Hurricane Maria. In addition, a variety of artifacts from Puerto Rico rounds out the exhibit. Featured in the display are traditional costumes, musical instruments, cooking utensils and much more. The exhibit will be on display in the Templeton Gallery through July 30. This event is free and open to the public. The program is funded in part by the Foundations of East Chicago. All are welcome to attend.For more information, contact the Public Relations Department staff at 219.397.2453.

EAST CHICAGO (July 3, 2018) – The family of Toni M. Blasingame Smith will host a scholarship presentation for the Toni M. Smith Scholarship Award. The event will be held at the East Chicago Public Library located at 2401 E. Columbus Dr. on Saturday, July 14 from 1-3pm. During the event, ten female incoming college freshmen from Northwest Indiana will be presented with a scholarship in honor of Toni M. Smith’s legacy. The scholarship award succeeds the Toni M. Smith Scholarship Announcement that was held on her birthday in March. During the reception, donors gathered to celebrate Toni’s life and impact she has made on her community and across the world.Toni passed away suddenly in 2017 but had a passion for mentoring young ladies about the importance of receiving a quality education. The scholarship will reward each recipient for their academic achievements, commitment to success and their positive outlook on society. Each recipient met the scholarship criteria and also completed an essay.